HOW TO RESPOND WHEN AN ACTIVE SHOOTER IS IN YOUR VICINITY
QUICKLY DETERMINE THE MOST REASONABLE WAY TO PROTECT YOUR OWN LIFE. CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS ARE LIKELY TO FOLLOW THE LEAD OF EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION.
1. Run
• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible
2. Hide
• Hide in an area out of the active shooter’s view.
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
3. Fight
• As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger.
• Attempt to incapacitate the active shooter
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter
CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO
HOW TO RESPOND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES ON THE SCENE
1. HOW YOU SHOULD REACT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT ARRIVES:
• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as attempting to hold on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises
2. INFORMATION YOU SHOULD PROVIDE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR 911 OPERATOR:
• Location of the victims and the active shooter
• Number of shooters, if more than one
• Physical description of shooter/s
• Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s
• Number of potential victims at the location
RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF POTENTIAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE
AN ACTIVE SHOOTER MAY BE A CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEE. ALERT YOUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT IF YOU BELIEVE AN EMPLOYEE EXHIBITS POTENTIALLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. INDICATORS OF POTENTIALLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING:
• Increased use of alcohol and/or illegal drugs
• Unexplained increase in absenteeism, and/or vague physical complaints
• Depression/Withdrawal
• Increased severe mood swings, and noticeably unstable or emotional responses
• Increasingly talks of problems at home
• Increase in unsolicited comments about violence, firearms, and other dangerous weapons and violent crimes
Contact your building management or human resources department for more information and training on active shooter response in your workplace.